Hair Holder

ABSTRACT

A hair holder  1  including a tube  2  configured to have a strand of hair inserted from its opening ( 21 ) at one end toward its opening ( 22 ) at the opposite end. The tube  2  is formed of a first side sheet  23 A that is to be an inner side when rolled up and a second side sheet  23 B that is to be an outer side when rolled up. The first side sheet  23 A and/or the second side sheet  23 B has a Taber stiffness of 0.4 mN·m or more. The tube  2  is provided, in or on its portion forming the opening  21 , with a stress relaxing means that relaxes the stress applied to a hair strand having been inserted through the opening  21.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a hair holder used to roll a strand ofhair into a desired shape.

BACKGROUND ART

Patent Document 1 discloses a hair holder comprising a flat tube formedof a sheet in such a design to allow a strand of hair to be insertedfrom an opening at one end toward an opening at the other end. Examplesof the tube of the hair holder described in Patent Document 1 include atube having substantially no extensibility in the longitudinal directionformed by joining two sheets along their long side edges, one of thesheets having a Taber stiffness of 0.4 mN·m or less, and the otherhaving a Taber stiffness of more than 0.4 mN·m.

It is possible with the hair holder having the above-specified tube tocurl a hair strand inserted into the tube easily, certainly, and neatlywithout using a curling rod.

Patent Document 1: JP 2003-319815A

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The problem of the hair holder disclosed in Patent Document 1 is thatthe hair in the tube is liable to bend awkwardly near the inlet (one ofthe openings) of the tube, for example, when a large amount of hair isinserted into the tube or when damaged hair is rolled up with the tubeand permed. Undesirably bent hair will be set as it is and, in extremecases, may break off at the bend.

The present invention relates to a hair holder that hardly causes hairto bend undesirably near the inlet of its tube even when a large amountof hair is inserted into the tube or when damaged hair is rolled up withthe tube.

The invention provides a hair holder including a tube having an openingat one end (hereinafter “a first opening”) and an opening at theopposite end (hereinafter “a second opening”) thereof and configured tohave a strand of hair inserted from the first opening toward the secondopening. The tube has a first side that is to be an inner side whenrolled up and a second side that is to be an outer side when rolled up.The tube is formed of a first side sheet defining the first side and asecond side sheet defining the second side. The first side sheet and/orthe second side sheet has a Taber stiffness of 0.4 mN·m or more. Thetube is provided, around the first opening thereof, with a stressrelaxing means that relaxes the stress imposed to a hair strand havingbeen inserted through the first opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1( a) is a perspective front view of a hair holder according to afirst embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1( b) is a perspective rear view of the hair holder of the firstembodiment.

FIG. 1( c) is a cross-section taken along line segment C-C in FIG. 1(b).

FIG. 2 is a perspective of the hair holder of the first embodiment inits self-rolled state.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary rear view showing the first opening of the tubeof the hair holder according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4( a) is a perspective view illustrating the way of curling a hairstrand using the hair holder of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4( b) is a perspective view illustrating the way of curling a hairstrand using the hair holder of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4( c) is a perspective view illustrating the way of curling a hairstrand using the hair holder of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the hair holder of the first embodimenthaving a hair strand inserted therein.

FIG. 6( a) is a fragmentary rear view showing the first opening of thetube of a hair holder according to a second embodiment (corresponding toFIG. 3).

FIG. 6( b) is a cross-section taken along line segment X-X in FIG. 6(a).

FIG. 7( a) is a fragmentary perspective view showing the first openingof the tube of a hair holder according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 7( b) is a side view of FIG. 7( a).

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary rear view showing the first opening of the tubeof a hair holder according to a fourth embodiment (corresponding to FIG.3).

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary rear view showing the first opening of the tubeof a hair holder according to a fifth embodiment (corresponding to FIG.3).

FIG. 10( a) is a fragmentary rear view showing the first opening of thetube of a hair holder according to a sixth embodiment (corresponding toFIG. 3).

FIG. 10( b) is a fragmentary view of a sheet material forming the secondside sheet of the hair holder of the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 11( a) is a perspective view of a bent-edged plate member used in ahair holder of a seventh embodiment.

FIG. 11( b) is a fragmentary cross-section of the hair holder of theseventh embodiment, showing the first opening of the tube (correspondingto FIG. 6( b)).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The hair holder of the present invention will be described withreference to its first preferred embodiment by way of the accompanyingdrawings.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1( a) to 3, the first embodiment provides a hairholder 1 including a tube 2 configured to have a hair strand insertedtherethrough from a first opening 21 at one end to a second opening 22at the other end. The tube 2 has a first side that is to be an innerside when rolled up and a second side that is to be an outer side whenrolled up. The tube 2 is formed of a first side sheet 23A defining thefirst side and a second side sheet 23B defining the second side. Thefirst side sheet 23A and/or the second side sheet 23B has a Taberstiffness of 0.4 mN·m or more. The tube 2 is provided, in or on itsportion forming the first opening 21, with a stress relaxing means thatrelaxes the stress exerted on a hair strand having been inserted throughthe first opening 21.

The hair holder 1 of the first embodiment will be described hereunder indetail. As illustrated in FIGS. 1( a) to 1(c), the hair holder 1 mainlyincludes the tube 2, an extension 4, and a pair of tightening tabs 3.

As illustrated, the tube 2 has a flat shape and is configured to have ahair strand H (see FIGS. 4( a) to 4(c)) inserted therethrough from thefirst opening 21 to the opposite second opening 22. The tube 2 is formedby joining the first side sheet 23A and the second side sheet 23B.Specifically, the tube 2 is formed by joining the first side sheet 23Aand the second side sheet 23B along their long side edges 24. The firstside sheet 23A defines the first side of the tube that is to be an innerside when the tube is rolled up. The second side sheet 23B defines thesecond side of the tube that is to be an outer side when the tube isrolled up.

The tube 2 preferably measures 50 to 350 mm in length, 20 to 100 mm inwidth. These dimensions can be decided as appropriate to the length ofthe hair, what part of the hair is to be curled, and the amount of hairof the hair strand to be inserted.

In describing the first side sheet 23A and the second side sheet 23B incommon, these two sheets will be generically called base sheets 23.Examples of materials forming the base sheets 23 include nonwovenfabrics (such as polyethylene nonwoven fabric and polyethyleneterephthalate nonwoven fabric), woven fabrics, mesh sheets, porous ornon-porous resin films (e.g., polyethylene film and polyethyleneterephthalate film), paper, polymer sheets, rubber sheets, andcomposites of these materials. The base sheets 23 each preferably have athickness of 30 to 500 μm.

The second side sheet 23B has a plurality of slits 26 that are long inthe lateral direction of the sheet 23B and are spacedly arranged in thelongitudinal direction of the sheet 23B. The slits 26 are providedprimarily for the purpose of enhancing the extensibility of the secondside sheet 23B. In the first embodiment, each slit 26 has a circularhole punched out at both ends 26A. The middle part of the slit 26between the ends 26A is formed by slitting with a thin blade.

An engageable member 52 engageable with an engaging member 51 (describedinfra) is provided on the second side sheet 23B near the first opening21. The engageable member 52 also has the slit 26 cut across. The secondside sheet 23B, while sectioned by the slits 26, is still a unitarystrip-shaped sheet as a whole. The engageable member 52 can be of anymaterial as long as it is engageable with the engaging member 51, forexample, nonwovens. The engageable member 52 preferably has a certainamount of length, for example, 2 to 15 cm, in the longitudinal directionof the tube 2 because the longitudinal position of the engagement withthe engaging member 51 varies depending on the final diameter of theroll of the tube 2.

In the first embodiment, the first side sheet 23A is formed of polyesternonwoven fabric having a weight of 150 g/m² and has no slits 26, and thesecond side sheet 23B is formed of polyester nonwoven fabric having aweight of 50 g/m² and has ten slits 26.

One of, or both of, the first side sheet 23A and the second side sheet23B has/have a Taber stiffness of 0.4 mN·m or more, preferably 1 mN·m ormore. With that Taber stiffness, the tube 2 having a hair strand Hinserted therethrough is rolled up neatly with no aid of a curling rod.

When only one of the base sheets 23 has a Taber stiffness of 0.4 mN·m ormore, it is preferred that the base sheet 23 with that Taber stiffnessbe the first side sheet 23A. It is particularly preferred that both thebase sheets 23 have a Taber stiffness of 0.4 mN·m or more.

The upper limit of the Taber stiffness is 10 mN·m in view of ease ofrolling the tube 2.

The Taber stiffness is measured in accordance with the stiffness testingmethod specified in JIS P8125.

The second side sheet 23B has its long side edges reinforced by bondingthereto a reinforcing member B the width of which is almost the same asthe width of the side joints (seal) between the base sheets 23. Thereinforcing members B adhered to the second side sheet 23B increase theoverall Taber stiffness of the tube 2. The reinforcing member B isprovided on only the side edges 24 of the tube 2 so that the ease ofwidening the first opening 21 of the tube 2 is not affected, nor isaffected ease of inserting a hair strand H into the tube 2.

The tube 2 is adapted to roll itself up into a prescribed shape and keepthe rolled state. Specifically, the tube 2 has been adapted by aprescribed means to have the property of reverting to a previouslydefined rolled-up state with the second side sheet 23B out and keepingthe rolled up state as illustrated in FIG. 2.

Therefore, when the tube 2 in the unrolled, straightened state (asillustrated in FIGS. 1( a) to 1(c)) is let free, it spontaneouslyreturns to its previously defined rolled shape as illustrated in FIG. 2.The hair holder 1 having such a self-rolling tube 2 needs no rollingoperation. There is another advantage that means for maintaining therolled state, such as a clip, is unnecessary.

The self-rolling tube 2 can be obtained by rolling up a tube, fixing thetube in the rolled up state by a prescribed means, and heating therolled up tube to a prescribed temperature to make the tube memorize therolled shape.

The hair holder 1 has an extension 4 extending from the end of the firstside sheet 23A forming the first opening 21 in the longitudinaldirection of the tube 2 (opposite to the direction of inserting a hairstrand H) as illustrated in FIGS. 1( a) to 1(c). In the firstembodiment, the first side sheet 23A and the extension 4 are integralwith each other.

The extension 4 has an engaging member 51 on its side opposite to thesecond side sheet 23B. After the tube 2 self-rolls, the engaging member51 engages with the engageable member 52 to maintain the roll shape ofthe tube 2. The engaging member 51 is exemplified by a male member of amechanical fastener.

The engaging member 51 may be capable of engaging with the second sidesheet 23B depending on the material of the second side sheet 23B.

A pair of tightening tabs 3 are provided on the long sides 24 of thetube 2 near the second opening 22. Each tightening tab 3 is a semicircleextending laterally outward from the side 24.

The first side sheet 23A, the second side sheet 23B, and the reinforcingmember B each has extensions corresponding to the tightening tabs 3. Inother words, the tightening tabs 3 are formed of a laminate of theextensions of the first side sheet 23A, the second side sheet 23B, andthe reinforcing member B.

The method of forming the tightening tabs 3 and their shape, size,thickness, position, etc. are decided as appropriate.

A stress relaxing means for relaxing the stress applied to a hair strandH having been inserted through the first opening 21 is provided in aportion of the tube forming the first opening 21 (hereinafter “afirst-opening-forming portion”). The stress relaxing means adapted inthe first embodiment is a flap 61 provided in the first-opening-formingportion of the second side sheet 23B. The flap 61 is not joined to thefirst side sheet 23A.

The flap 61 is a part of the first-opening-forming portion of the secondside sheet 23B and is not joined to the first side sheet 23A nor to theextension 4. The length of the flap 61 along the longitudinal directionof the tube 2 is appropriately decided. It is preferably from 1 to 30mm, more preferably 5 to 15 mm. The flap 61 is configured to bend backfrom the first side sheet 23A along a base line 61A connecting twofirst-opening-sided ends of the opposite joined sides 24. The shape ofthe flap 61 is not limited to a rectangle as in the first embodimentshown and may be, for example, a trapezoid, a semiellipse or asemicircle.

The flap 61 has at least one slit 62 extending in the longitudinaldirection of the tube 2. The length, number, interval of the slits 62are decided appropriately. The length of the slit 62 is, for example,such that the slit 62 exceeds the above-identified base line 61A,specifically from 2 to 40 mm. The number of the slits 62 is, forexample, 1 to 8. The interval of the slits 62 is, for example, 5 to 20mm.

Usage of the hair holder according to the first embodiment will bedescribed taking, for instance, application to permanent waving by wayof FIGS. 4( a) to 4(c).

First of all, a hair holder 1 having a tube 2 with appropriate lengthand width is chosen according to the amount of hair of a hair strand Hor a desired curling style. As shown in FIG. 4( a), the first opening 21of the tube 2 is widened to make an elliptic opening, and a hair strandH is introduced into the first opening 21.

After the hair strand H is inserted through the tube 2, the tube 2 isrolled up from the second opening 22 with the first side sheet 23Ainside as illustrated in FIGS. 4( a) and 4(b). While the tube 2 of thefirst embodiment self-rolls since it has been so adapted as to retainits previously defined rolled state, rolling the tube 2 while pinchingthe tightening tabs 3 between fingers will ensure the rolling with adesired tightness.

After the tube 2 is rolled up, the engaging member 51 engages with theengageable member 52 as illustrated in FIG. 4( c). As a result, the tube2 is fixed in its rolled state with a prescribed diameter.

Thereafter a hair treating agent for permanent waving is applied to thehair strand H from the outside of the tube 2. After an elapse of a giventime, the hair strand H is released from the tube 2 and subjected topost-treatment such as shampooing to complete permanent waving.

The first opening 21 of the tube 2 can be widened into a circular shapewhen a hair strand H is inserted therethrough, which will be morehelpful to insert the hair strand H smoothly. A hair inserter (notshown) having a hair catching hook may be used to help a user to inserta hair strand H. The tip of the hair strand H may stick out of thesecond opening 22.

After the tube 2 having the hair strand H therein is rolled with thefirst side sheet 23A inside, the hair strand H inserted in the tube 2and rolled up generates a force to return to its original straightstate. As a result, the part of the hair strand H near the first opening21 is given a stress to bend.

Hence, the hair holder 1 of the first embodiment has the flap 61provided at the first-opening-forming end of the tube 2 as a stressrelaxing means for relaxing the stress exerted on the hair strand Hhaving been inserted through the first opening 21. The flap 61 is afirst-opening-forming portion of the second side sheet 23B that is notjoined to the first side sheet 23A.

As shown in FIG. 5, the flap 61 bends back away from the first sidesheet 23A so that the stress imposed to the part of the hair strand Hnear the first opening 21 of the tube 2 is relaxed. With the flap 61being pushed to the direction of bending by the hair strand H, areaction force will be generated to move the rolled tube 2 in thedirection indicated by arrow D in FIG. 5. By this movement, the stresson the hair strand H near the first opening 21 will be further relaxed.As a result, even when a large amount of hair is inserted into the tube2 or when damaged hair is rolled up with the tube 2, the hair strand His less likely to bend near the first opening 21 of the tube 2.

In particular, since the flap 61 used in the first embodiment has slits62 cut therein, the flap 61 bends back while spreading in the lateraldirection of the tube 2, which enhances the stress relaxing effect onthe hair strand H.

Second to seventh embodiments of the hair holder according to thepresent invention will then be illustrated. The description willgenerally be confined to the differences from the first embodiment. Thedescription on the first embodiment applies to the second to seventhembodiments unless otherwise specified. The hair holders of the secondto seventh embodiments can be used in the same manner as that of thefirst embodiment to produce the same effects as in the first embodiment.

The hair holder of the second embodiment is designed such that the flap61 exerts a restoring force toward the first side sheet 23A (a restoringforce in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 6( b) about thebase line 61A as an axis as illustrated in FIG. 6). The hair holder ofthe second embodiment is otherwise structurally the same as that of thefirst embodiment. As illustrated in FIGS. 6( a) and 6(b), the flap 61 inthe second embodiment has the reinforcing member B bonded to its bothsides. The reinforcing member B causes, by its stiffness, the flap 61 toexert a restoring force to the first side sheet 23A. The reinforcingmember B on both sides of the flap 61 is an extension from thereinforcing member B provided on both sides 24 of the first side sheet23A.

In addition to the provision of the reinforcing member B on the flap 61,configurations by which the flap 61 is made to exert a restoring forceto the first side sheet 23A include making the flap 61 of a shape memorymaterial having the property of reverting to its original shape.

As stated, the hair holder of the second embodiment is structurally thesame as that of the first embodiment and is additionally configured sothat the flap 61 may exert a restoring force to the first side sheet23A. It follows that the second embodiment offers the advantage that theflap 61 hardly loses its resilience even after repeated use in additionto the effects of the first embodiment. A flap 61 having lost itsresilience would be liable to cause a hindrance in using the hair holderor inconvenience in handling the hair holder and fail to produce thestress relaxing effect (the effect to relaxing the stress applied to thehair strand). Accordingly, the flap 61 that exerts a restoring force tothe first side sheet 23A and hardly loses resilience continuesexhibiting the stress relaxing effect without causing a hindrance inusing the hair holder or inconvenience in handling the hair holder.

If the restoring force of the flap 61 is too strong, which may interferewith stress relaxation, the object primarily aimed at in the invention.Accordingly, the restoring force of the flap 61 is preferably set withina range that does not impair the stress relaxing effect.

The stress relaxing means adopted in the third embodiment of the hairholder is a bulge provided in the first-opening-forming portion of thesecond side sheet 23B as illustrated in FIGS. 7( a) and 7(b). The bulgeis shaped by bending back the first-opening-forming portion of thesecond side sheet 23B away from the first side sheet 23A. Such abent-back shape is formed by plastic deformation offirst-opening-forming portion (inclusive of the edge 25) of the secondside sheet 23B. The amount of bending back L1 of the second side sheet23B is decided as appropriate and is preferably from 5 to 30 mm.

According to the third embodiment, after the tube 2 having a hair strandH inserted therein is rolled up, the hair strand H near the firstopening 21 of the tube 2 is allowed to move to the second side sheet 23Bforming the bulge so that the stress imposed to the hair strand H can berelaxed. Thus, the same effect as in the first embodiment is achieved.

The stress relaxing means adopted in the fourth embodiment of the hairholder is a cutout 25 made in the first-opening-forming portion of thesecond side sheet 23B as illustrated in FIG. 8. The cutout 25 is concavetoward the second opening 22. The shape of the cutout 25 may be, forexample, a semiellipse or a semicircle. The depth L2 of the cutout 25 isdecided appropriately. It is preferably 5 to 30 mm.

According to the fourth embodiment, after the tube 2 having a hairstrand H inserted therein is rolled up, the hair strand H near the firstopening 21 of the tube 2 is allowed to move to the edge of the cutout 25so that the stress imposed to the hair strand H can be relaxed. Thus,the same effect as in the first embodiment is achieved.

A stress relaxing means adopted in the fifth embodiment of the hairholder is a stretch material 63 that is stretchable under a small loadprovided on the first-opening-forming portion of the second side sheet23B as illustrated in FIG. 9. The length of the stretch material (in thelongitudinal direction of the tube 2) is decided appropriately. It ispreferably 10 to 50 mm. The phrase “stretchable under a small load”means to be capable of stretching at 5% or more under a load of 5 N.Examples of such a stretch material include polyethylene nonwovens,polypropylene nonwovens, polyester nonwovens, rubber thread wovens, andrubber fiber nonwovens.

The stretch material 63 includes a portion E unjoined to the first sidesheet 23A and located nearer to the first opening 21 than to the secondopening 22 (see FIG. 9).

The tube 2 having the stretch material 63 on the first-opening-formingportion of the second side sheet 23B is obtained by uniting the stretchmaterial 63 to a material that does not stretch under a small load inthe longitudinal direction of the tube 2 or by disposing the stretchmaterial 63 longitudinally next to the second described material with anunbonded overlap.

According to the fifth embodiment, after the tube 2 having a hair strandH inserted therein is rolled up, the hair strand H near the firstopening 21 of the tube 2 pushes the stretch material 63 to cause it tostretch and thereby moves away from the first side sheet 23A so that thestress imposed to the hair strand H can be relaxed. Thus, the sameeffect as in the first embodiment is achieved.

A stress relaxing means adopted in the sixth embodiment of the hairholder is a folded portion 64 provided in the first-opening-formingportion of the second side sheet 23B and having a part thereof folded inthe lateral direction of the tube 2 as illustrated in FIG. 10( a). Theamount of folding in the lateral direction is decided as appropriate tothe desired amount of stress relaxation.

The second side sheet 23B having the folded portion 64 shown in FIG. 10(a) is obtained using a sheet material having a pentagonal region 64′ atits end that will provide the first opening 21 as illustrated in FIG.10( b). The pentagonal region 64′ is folded along V-shaped folding line64A into a rectangle. The second side sheet 23B with the resultingfolded portion 64 is then joined to the first side sheet 23A along bothside edges 24 to make the tube 2.

According to the sixth embodiment, after the tube 2 having a hair strandH inserted therein is rolled up, the hair strand H near the firstopening 21 of the tube 2 pushes the folded portion 64 to unfold it andthereby moves away from the first side sheet 23A so that the stressimposed to the hair strand H can be relaxed. Thus, the same effect as inthe first embodiment is achieved.

In the sixth embodiment, while not shown, the folded portion as a stressrelaxing means may be replaced with a portion slackened in the lateraldirection of the tube 2 provided in the first-opening-forming portion ofthe second side sheet 23B.

A stress relaxing means adopted in the seventh embodiment of the hairholder is a bent-edged plate member 65 provided along thefirst-opening-forming portion of the second side sheet 23B asillustrated in FIGS. 11( a) and 11(b). The bent-edged plate member 65includes a bending portion 65A sticking from the first opening 21 andbending toward the second side sheet 23B away from the first side sheet23A.

As illustrated in FIG. 11( a), the bent-edged plate member 65 is nearlytriangular in a plan view and has its upper side edge bent outward in aside view. The bent-edged plate member 65 is formed of, for example,resin film or metal. As illustrated in FIG. 11( b), the bent-edged platemember 65 is bonded to the inner side of the first-opening-formingportion of the second side sheet 23B with its bending portion 65Asticking outward from the first opening 21 and bending from the firstside sheet 23A toward the second side sheet 23B.

According to the seventh embodiment, after the tube 2 having a hairstrand H inserted therein is rolled up, the hair strand H near the firstopening 21 of the tube 2 is allowed to move to the bending portion 65Aof the bent-edged plate member 65 so that the stress imposed to the hairstrand H can be relaxed. Thus, the same effect as in the firstembodiment is achieved.

The bent-edged plate member 65 may be either bonded, as described above,or non-bonded to the second side sheet 23B of the tube 2. The bent-edgedplate member 65 that is not bonded is used as disposed at the firstopening 21 so that a hair strand H is inserted from the first opening 21between the member 65 and the first side sheet 23A to generate the sameeffect as the member 65 bonded to the second side sheet 23B (see FIG.11( b)).

Alternatively, after the tube 2 having a hair strand H insertedtherethrough is rolled up, the bent-edged plate member 65 is insertedbetween the second side sheet 23B and the hair strand to produce thesame effect as the member 65 bonded to the second side sheet 23B (seeFIG. 11( b)).

The hair holder of the present invention is not limited to theabove-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications canbe made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

The stress relaxing means is not limited to those used in the foregoingembodiments. Any stress relaxing means can be used as long as it iscapable of relaxing the stress exerted on the hair strand insertedthrough the first opening of the tube.

The first side sheet 23A and the second side sheet 23B may be formed ofa single sheet material. In that case, the sheet material is folded intotwo along its longitudinal centerline to make the tube 2.

The application of the hair holder according to the present inventionincludes not only permanent waving but also other techniques for curlinghair such as hot curling (heat is applied to a rolled strand of hairusing a hair dryer, etc.), cold curling (a strand of hair, either dry orwet, is rolled up and just left for a period of time to conform to theshape).

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The hair holder according to the present invention hardly causes astrand of hair to bend undesirably near the inlet of its tube.

1. A hair holder comprising a tube having an opening at one end and anopening at the opposite end thereof and configured to have a strand ofhair inserted from the opening at one end toward the opening at theopposite end, the tube having a first side that is to be an inner sidewhen rolled up and a second side that is to be an outer side when rolledup and having a first side sheet defining the first side and a secondside sheet defining the second side, at least one of the first sidesheet and the second side sheet having a Taber stiffness of 0.4 mN·m ormore, and the tube being provided with a stress relaxing means in or onits portion forming the opening at one end, the stress relaxing meansbeing adapted to relax the stress applied to a hair strand having beeninserted through the first opening.
 2. The hair holder according toclaim 1, wherein the stress relaxing means is a flap provided in theportion forming the opening at one end of the second side sheet, theflap being not joined to the first side sheet.
 3. The hair holderaccording to claim 2, wherein the flap has a reinforcing member bondedthereto such that the reinforcing member causes, by its stiffness, theflap to exert a restoring force to the first side sheet.
 4. The hairholder according to claim 1, wherein the stress relaxing means is abulge provided in the portion forming the opening at one end of thesecond side sheet.
 5. The hair holder according to claim 1, wherein thestress relaxing means is a cutout made in the portion forming theopening at one end of the second side sheet.
 6. The hair holderaccording to claim 1, wherein the stress relaxing means is a stretchmaterial provided on the portion forming the opening at one end of thesecond side sheet, the stretch material being stretchable under a smallload.
 7. The hair holder according to claim 1, wherein the stressrelaxing means is a portion folded or slackened in the lateral directionof the tube and provided in the portion forming the opening at one endof the second side sheet.
 8. The hair holder according to claim 1,wherein the stress relaxing means is a bent-edged plate member providedon the portion forming the opening at one end of the second side sheet,the bent-edged plate member having a bending portion sticking outwardfrom the opening at one end and bending toward the second side sheetaway from the first side sheet.